But then he found India in a quiet corner on the floor, propped up against the wall. They’d taken most of the library chairs for his event, and he felt bad she’d been studying on the floor. But with her blond hair falling around her shoulders, and her glasses perched on the end of her nose, all he could think about was sitting on that carpet next to her and finding any excuse to stay.
“Coffee,” he said.
She stared up, blinking. “What?”
“Your coffee. Since I stole yours.” He held the coffee out, stepping carefully around her sleeping dog to reach her.
She grinned. “I gave it to you. Not exactly stealing.” But she took the coffee.
Not gonna sit. Not gonna sit. He sat on the carpet, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “Nice spot.”
One fine brow arched. “I normally have actual chairs and a table, but some wannabe important person took them all.”
“Wannabe?” He pressed a hand to his chest. “I’d like to think I’m important to someone, somewhere.”
She smiled. “I can think of three adorable someones close by who probably think you’re the most important person in their world.”
He nodded.
“How’d it go?” she asked, nodding at the front of the library.
“Good turnout.” He shrugged.
“That’s it?” She tucked her pencil behind her ear. “Guess I’ll hear about it over breakfast tomorrow.”
He froze, pleasure blooming in his chest. “Are we having breakfast tomorrow?”
Her eyes went round. “No. I—I meant my dad...” She swallowed, studying his face. “I didn’t mean we’d have breakfast together.”
“Why not?” The two words were out before he could stop them. “We’re friends after all. And we both need to eat,” he added to hide some of his embarrassment.
“Oh.” Her forehead furrowed. “I only meant my father reads the paper every morning. It makes for a colorful meal. This morning the vein on his forehead was throbbing, thanks to you.”
He sighed. “Not so happy about the announcement?”
She shook her head.
“So I’m guessing breakfast is out, too?” he asked. Why was he pushing this? “I don’t want to stir the pot with your father.”
She stared at the book in her lap. “I’ve given up. There’s something to be said for knowing you’re a disappointment from the get-go. Makes screwing up less of a shock and more of a foregone conclusion.” The bite of her words was tempered by her lack of emotion.
“Sounds bleak, India,” he murmured. “All I see is a woman determined to be able to provide for herself and her son. That’s damn admirable, if you ask me.”
“Sorry. I think I just rained on your morning. I didn’t mean to. I’m really happy for you—and Fort Kyle, Brody. I know you’re going to do good things for this town. I’m glad so many turned out to support you.” She paused. “I mean, I didn’t hear any hecklers back here, so I’m assuming they were here to support you.”
He laughed.
“Where are the girls?” she asked. “There’s a reading time at eleven.”
He glanced at his watch. “I’ve got plenty of time to get them and come back.” He pushed off the floor. “Since you won’t join me for breakfast, maybe you’d think about having lunch with the girls and me? After reading time?”
She glanced from him to her books and back again. He refused to acknowledge her look for the decline it was.
“I’ll take that as a maybe,” he said. “Keep up the hard work.”
She laughed. “I’m trying. But I keep getting interrupted.”
“Tell the next person who interrupts you to take a hike.”